Feeler-motion for looms



I. SNOW.

FEELER MGTION FOR LOOMS v APPL!CATION FILED JULY 10, 1919. RENEWED JAN. 10,1921. 1,369,483.

2 SHEE TSSHEET I- Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

Invenfor:

gal

vu l l. SNOW.

I FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS.

AFPLlCA-ION FILED JULY 10, 1919. ngnzww JAN. 10.1921.

1,369,483. Patented Feb. 22,1921,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.'

' lllmhldil w i J 39 5 i 25 E E i F 38 i i 44 H i 1 1 i 45 I i l J s-32 J II cnt'or:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC snow, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION, on HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER-MOTION FOR LOO'MS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

Application filed July 10, 1919, Serial No. 309,963. Renewed January 10, 1921. Serial No. 436,889.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC SNOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler-Motions for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The present invention has reference to feeler mechanisms whereby when the filling in the active shuttle reaches a predetermined degree of exhaustion, a train of mechanism is set in operation to effect a change in the condition of the loom, such, for instance, as stopping the loom or changing the filling in the shuttle.

Various forms of feeler mechanisms have heretofore been provided, some of which feel for the filling in the shuttle and on substantial exhaustion thereof either stop the 1.00m or eifect replenishment of filling. Among these has been that type or class of feeler mechanisms wherein a feeler tip has been pivotally mounted upon a feeled carrier and turned upon its pivotal mounting by the frontward push of a surface within the shuttle when the filling has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion to thereby effect replenishment of filling. The feeler motion of the present invention is of this type, and,

the object sought is to provide a feeler motion of the character described which shall be slmple in construction, efficient and practical in its operation to cause replenishment of filling only when that in the active shuttle has become substantially exhausted.

The construction and mode of operation and effect of the feeler motion of the present invention will best be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings of one good practical form thereof, it being understood that variations in details may be made within the true scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspectlve view of one showing the relation assumed by the parts when on a detecting beat the filling is found bydthe feeler to be substantially exhausted; an

Fig. at is a detail enlarged view showing the connection of the auxiliary or slide member and the initiating arm.

The loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the brackets 2 which support the transverse or change shaft 3 usual to this type of loom. Secured to the transverse or change shaft 8 is an arm 4 extending upwardly therefrom and to which is pivoted at 5 the actuator 6, the rear end portion 7 of which is normally out of the path? of movement of an operating member 8 which, in the present invention, may be the weft hammer or a part connected thereto.

The lay 9 has the usual shuttle-box 10 provided in its front wall with an opening 11, and the shuttle 12 which carries the filling carrier or bobbin 13 has the adjacent wall thereof at the side of the shuttle provided with an opening 14 as usual where a feeler is to feel through the front wall of the shuttlebox into the shuttle as the lay moves frontwardly on a detecting beat. The filling car rier or bobbin is also of usual type and may be held in the shuttle by the usual bobbin jaws, so that the entrance of the new filling carrier Or bobbin with a supply of filling thereon may cause the ejection of the old or depleted bobbin and the substitution therefor of the full or working filling sup ply bobbin.

The feeler, in the present invention, is mounted upon a feeler carrier normally held in rearward position by yielding means,

in order that the feeler tip shall enter the shuttle on each detecting beat and feel for or detect the condition of the filling in the shuttle. "The feeler carrier may take various forms, and the mounting of the feeler car rier may be variously contrived, but in the present instance of the invention, the loom frame has extending therefrom an arm 15 provided with a slot 16 by means of which and'a securing bolt 17 a bracket 18, adapted to support the feeler carrier may be adjustably held in desired position.

The feeler stand is of an appropriate charactor to support the feeler carrier, in the down-turned portions 20 between which is.

secured the block 21 (Fig. 1) through which securing bolts 22 may be passed to hold the feeler stand in desired position of adjustment. In the present instance of the invention, the feeler carrier 23 is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom on the feeler stand, which latter is provided with suitable guideways or bearings to direct the movement of the feeler carrier. As indicated in Fig. 1, the feeler stand 19 has its side edge portions 24 and 25 upwardly and inwardly turned to provide guideways for the feeler carrier. This character of construction is simple and efficient and enables the feeler stand to be formed from a single plate of sheet metal. 7

. The feeler carrier 23 has the two frontwardly extending guiding portions 26 and 27 which are connected by the bridge 28 and are guided in the bent guideways 24 and 25, the construction being such that the feeler carrier may be reciprocated and its movements directed by the guideways 24 and 25.

The feeler carrier is normally held in rearward position by means permitting it to yield frontwardly under the frontward pressure of the surface within theshuttle on a detecting beat, and in the present instance of the invention, such means coinprises a spring 29 surrounding a stem 30 secured to the bridge 28 of the feeler carrier, and having one end resting against the front of the bridge as indicated, and the other end resting against a lug 31 upturned from the feeler stand and through which the stem 30 projects. The stem 30 is provided with an angular end portion 32 which by engagement with the lug 31 limits the rearward movement of the feeler carrier.

The feeler tip 33 has a primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier at 34 and is provided with an engaging end portion 35 which may be toothed or roughened as shown, with the line of teeth or roughened engaging end portion extending in a direction obliquely or angularly to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle when the filling tip is in position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Connected to the feeler tip 33 between its primary fulcrum connection 34 with the feeler carrier and toothed or roughened engaging end portion 35 is the auxiliary member or slide 36 having the auxiliary fulcrum connection with the tip at- 37 and extending frontwardly therefrom. The auxiliary member or slide 36 extends through the bridge 28 of the feeler carrier and frontwardly thereof is engaged by an arm, which for 23 .by independent frontward movement of identification may be herein known as the initiating arm. 7

The initiating arm 38, in the present in stance of the invention, is pivotally mounted for movement with the feeler carrier and preferably secured to the feeler carrier bridge 28 by a pivotal connection .39. The initiating arm 38 has a downturned portion 40 (Fig. 4) provided with an open slot 41 adapted to engage a groove-42 in the front end portion of the auxiliary member or slide 36, the construction being such that should the auxiliary member or slide 36 be given a frontward movement independent of the feeler carrier or relative thereto, the initiating arm 38 will be moved about its pivotal mounting 39 on the bridge of the feeler carrier.

The initiating member 38 has a side projecting portion 43 which is pivotally'connected to a transmitter 44 as indicated in Fig. 1, the other end of the transmitter 44 being connected to one arm 45 of the bell crank lever 46 pivotally mounted on a stand 47 rising from the loom frame. The other arm 48 of the bell-crank lever 46 underlies the actuator 6, the construction being such that should the initiating arm 38 be turned upon its pivotal connection by the carrier the auxiliary member or slide 36, the transmitter will be moved endwise to the right in the illustrated form of the invention in Fig. 1, thereby lifting the arm 48 of the bellcrank 46 and moving the end of the actuator 6 into the path of movement of the'operating member 8, thus causing actuation of the train of mechanism for replenishment of filling.

When a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the obliquely arranged toothed portion 35 of the feeler tip will engage the mass of filling and sink into it, so that on further frontward movement of the lay the feeler carrier 23 and the parts connected thereto including the initiating member will be moved frontwardly without disturbing the relation between the carrier, the auxiliary member or slide 36 and the initiating member. When, however, the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat as indicated in Fig. 3, the tooth engaging end portion of the feeler tip will engage the few turns of filling still remaining on the bobbin within the shuttle, or the surface of the bobbin itself, and upon further frontward movement of the lay, the feeler tip will be turned upon its primary fulcrum 34 relativeto the feeler carrier into the position indicated in Fig. 3. During this turning movement the teeth on the engaging end of the feeler tip will assume a practically parallel relation with the axis of the shuttle, and in case there is still sufiicient filling in the shuttle for weaving 130 purposes, the feeler tip will be held from turning sufficiently from its position in Fig. 2, as the additional teeth engage the filling, and replenishment will not be effected. Should, however, the feeler tip complete its movement about its primary fulcrum connection 34: with the feeler carrier 23 from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 8, the auxiliary member 36 will be moved frontwardly against the tension of its spring 49 which is interposed between a collar 50 and the bridge 28 and cause the initiating member 38 to be swung about its pivotal connection 89 with the feeler carrier, the feeler carrier itself remaining in its rearward position. The swinging movement of the initiating member will be transmitted through the transmitter 44 and cause the actuator 6 to be moved into operative relation with the operating member 8 and effect actuation of the train of mechanism for replenishment of filling;

hat is claimed is 1. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a feeler carrier having side portions guided for reciprocating movement in the feeler stand, a bridge extending between the side portions of the feeler carrier, a feeler tip having a primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier, an auxiliary slide member having an auxiliary fulcrum connection with the feeler tip intermediate its primary fulcrum and engaging end and passing frontward of the bridge, an initiating member pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier bridge and engaging the auxiliary slide member, a transmitter connected to the pivoted initiating member, and means controlled by the transmitter for replenishing filling.

2. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a feeler carrier having side portions guided for reciprocating movement in the feeler stand, a bridge extending between the side portions of the feeler carrier, at feeler tip having a primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier, an auxiliary slide member having an auxiliary fulcrum connection with the feeler tip intermediate its primary fulcrum and engaging end and passing frontward of the bridge, a spring acting through the auxiliary slide member between the bridge and feeler tip, an initiating member pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier bridge and engaging the auxiliary slide member, a transmitter connected to the pivoted initiating member, and means controlled by the transmitter for replenishing filling.

3. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler stand, a feeler carrier having sideportions guided for reciprocating movement in the feeler stand, a bridge extending between the side portions of the feeler carrier, a feeler tip having a primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier, an auxiliary slide member having an auxiliary fulcrum connection with the feeler tip intermediate its primary fulcrum and engaging end and passing frontward of the bridge, an initiating member pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier bridge and having a slotted portion for engaging the auxiliary slide 'member, a transmitter connected to the pivoted initiating member, and means controlled by the transmitterfor replenishing filling.

4. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier movable toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler tip having a primary fulcrum connection with the carrier and provided with teeth arranged oblique to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle when the feeler isin feeling position, an auxiliary member fulcrumed to the feeler tip between its primary fulcrum and end teeth, an initiating member movable with and relative to the feeler carrier, a connection between the auxiliary member and initiating member to impart relative movement between the feeler carrier and auxiliary member when the auxiliary member is moved by turning movement of the feeler tip under the frontward pressure when the filling is substan: tially exhausted.

5. In a feeler motion for looms, the coinmember fulcrumed to the feeler tip at one side of the primary fulcrum, an initiating member pivotally connected to the feeler carrier and engaging the auxiliary sliding mem-' ber, and means for causing replenishment of filling when the auxiliary sliding member is moved frontwardly by the feeler tip as it is turned about its primary fulcrum by the frontward pressure when the filling is substantially exhausted.

6. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, a movable feeler carrier, a laterally movable feeler tip provided with a primary fulcrum connection with the carrier and having a toothed or roughened engaging end, an auxiliary member pivotally connected to the feeler tip at one side of the primary fulcrum and adapted to be displaced frontwardly by turning movement of the feeler tip about its primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier, and means actuated by frontward movement of the auxiliary member to cause filling replenishment when the filling is substantially exhausted.

7 {A feeler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, a movable feeler carrier, a laterally movable feeler tip provided with a primary fulcrum connection with the carrier, and having a toothed engaging end in which the line of teeth are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle when the feeler is in normal rearward position, an auxiliary member connected to the feeler tip between the primary fulcrum and engaging end of the feeler tip and displaced fron wardly by turning movement of the feeler tip about its primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier, and means moved laterally by the frontward movement of the auxiliary member frontWa-rdly when the filling is substantially exhausted for causing replenishment of filling.

8. A. feeler mechanism for looms comprising, in combination a feeler carrier movable toward and from the front of the loom, a

feeler tip having a primary fulcrum connection with the feeler carrier and a part extendher or rod to maintain the feeler tip in feeling position, and means for effecting rei plenishment of fillingwhen the feeler tip is moved laterally on a detecting beat'with filling substantially exhausted.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ISAAC SNOW. 

